New Ecological Vegetation Map Reveals Urgent Conservation Needs for Aruba

(BIO) NEWS research edition. Every edition we highlight 1 article with the latest? nature news from the six Dutch Caribbean Islands focused on research and monitoring.? As always you can find our complete list of articles HERE. As well as an overview of recent publications, current research and monitoring activities and needs at the end of this newsletter.??

A team of experts from CARMABI Foundation and Wageningen University have recently finalized the landscape ecological vegetation map of Aruba.? Aiming to enhance conservation efforts, this research offers a detailed look at how Aruba’s natural landscape has evolved over the past 50 years and what steps are necessary to preserve its biodiversity.?

The Study?

The study offers a comprehensive examination of Aruba’s vegetation, based on over 300 sample plots collected between 1996 and 2000. This new map serves as an essential tool for future biodiversity conservation, highlighting significant degradation in the island’s vegetation due to urbanization, tourism, invasive species, and climate change. These findings update the seminal 1956 map created by Stoffers, incorporating modern methods, to provide quantitative data for the first time, which will enable better land-use planning and ecological management moving forward.?

Findings?

The research revealed alarming findings: significant vegetation loss and degradation due to human activity, particularly urbanization and tourism, with the western side of the island most affected. The findings highlighted a troubling loss of critical vegetation types, including the near disappearance of the ‘Evergreen woodland’ and the ‘Herbaceous strand community.’ These areas, once vital to Aruba’s biodiversity, have been severely impacted by human activity and invasive species, with significant deterioration in species such as the thorny woodland once derived from evergreen woodland. Moreover, the ongoing issue of roaming livestock, erosion, and saltwater intrusion exacerbated by climate change are further threatening Aruba’s ecological resilience.?

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Key Recommendations:?

- Immediate removal of free-roaming livestock in natural areas?

- Propagation and replanting of rare native species- Strict control of invasive plant species through an action plan?

- Development of green corridors to connect isolated vegetation patches?

- Protect small surviving landscape elements in urban and industrial areas?

- Implementation of practical infrastructural measures to aid rainwater infiltration into groundwater?

Regional Context?

For the wider Dutch Caribbean, this study is a crucial reference point. Aruba’s unique vegetation is a key component of the Caribbean dry forest biome, which extends across neighboring islands like Bonaire and Cura?ao. The health of these ecosystems is critical for regional biodiversity, as they support species unique to the ABC islands. Aruba's case highlights the pressing need for the implementation of conservation strategies across the region, such as the removal of non-native livestock, the propagation of endangered species, and the creation of ecological corridors to promote habitat connectivity. This study was commissioned by DCNA and will feed into the soon to be launched Conservation and Restoration of Key Habitats Program.? This new program will work to bring together studies such as these to implement impactful conservation and restoration efforts across the six islands. These measures will be essential for building resilience against climate change and ensuring the long-term survival of the region's biodiversity.??

Publications? Check out recent reports and publications on biodiversity related subjects in the Dutch Caribbean HERE??

Research & Monitoring Projects ?? Stay up to date with projects in the Dutch Caribbean via our project overview HERE.???

Guidelines for Design & Conduct of Research & Monitoring Projects See our recommendations HERE.??

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The Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) supports (science) communication and outreach in the Dutch Caribbean region by making nature related (scientific) information more widely available through amongst others the Dutch Caribbean Biodiversity Database, DCNA’s news platform BioNews and through the press. This article contains the results from several (scientific) studies but the studies themselves are not DCNA studies. No rights can be derived from the content. DCNA is not liable for the content and the in(direct) impacts resulting from publishing this article.??

BioNews is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN). DCNA’s activities are generously supported by the Dutch Postcode Lottery.??

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Thanks to local conservation efforts, nature on our islands is protected.?We want you and your loved ones to be able to enjoy it for many years to come. Want to help? Donate here: https://dcnanature.org/donate/?? ?

Carmabi Wageningen University & Research Aruba Conservation Foundation (ACF) STINAPA Bonaire St. Eustatius National Parks (STENAPA) Saba Conservation Foundation Nature Foundation Sint Maarten Ministerie van Landbouw, Visserij, Voedselzekerheid en Natuur Nationale Postcode Loterij